Sustainability of agroforestry systems on acid soils for livelihood security
2020
Sharma, U. C. | Sharma, Vikas
A long- term study was conducted with four land use systems; agroforestry (LU-1), agri-horti-silvo-pastoral (LU-2), agriculture with alder (Alnus nepalensis) (LU-3), and shifting cultivation (slash and burn) (LU-4) to see their effect on the soil properties, soil erosion and crop productivity. The sediment yield varied from 0.27 to 0.75 Mgha-1 in LU-1, 0.11 to 0.37 Mgha-1 in LU-2 and 2.76 to 4.52 Mgha-1Â in LU-3 as against 26.69 to 45.80 Mgha-1 in LU-4. In ten years of study, there was substantial build-up of available P and K over the initial status in LU-1, LU-2 and LU-3 compared to LU-4, in which the available P status remained almost constant. Available K in LU-4 increased in the beginning after burning of forest vegetation but subsequently decreased to initial value after four years. Agroforestry systems ameliorated the soils by enhancing soil pH and decreasing the exchangeable Al content in the soil and, thus, helping in higher availability of native as well as applied nutrients and enhancing the crop productivity. The agroforestry systems ensured the livelihood security and farm income.
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